%0 Journal Article
%T Socio-Cultural Barriers Influencing Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Information and Services among Adolescents and Youth 10 - 24 Years in Pastoral Communities in Kenya
%A Joyce Wangui Kinaro
%A Gilbert Wangalwa
%A Sarah Karanja
%A Ben Adika
%A Catherine Lengewa
%A Patric Masitsa
%J Advances in Sexual Medicine
%P 1-16
%@ 2164-5205
%D 2019
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/asm.2019.91001
%X <b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Background</span></b><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">:</span></b><span style=\"font-family:;\" \"=\"\"> </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">As in other developing countries, sexual and
reproductive ill-health continues to mostly affect adolescents and youths.
Samburu and Turkana counties in Kenya have some of the highest levels of total
fertility rates (TFR) at 6.3 and 6.9 respectively placing them well above the
national TFR of 3.9. Establishing factors that influence utilization of SRH
services among adolescent and youth aged 10 </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">-</span><span style=\"font-family:;\" \"=\"\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> 24
years is critical in developing an effective program. </span><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Method</span></b></span><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">: </span></b><span style=\"font-family:;\" \"=\"\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">We used
primary data from qualitative and purposeful study design. Data collection used
Focus group discussions (FGD), In-depth interviews (IDIs) and Key informant
interviews (IDIs). The target groups were adolescents and youth aged 10 - 24
years, health care providers, community health volunteers (CHVs), chemist
assistants, parents of adolescents and youth, teachers, spiritual leaders and
traditional activists. </span><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Findings and Conclusion</span></b></span><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">: </span></b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Socio-cultural
factors were found to influence utilization of SRH services and information.
Early marriage, being youth, male only decisions on sexuality matters and fear
of family contribute to unprotected sex while myths and misconceptions on
contraceptives affected utilization. The findings revealed that youth need</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">s</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> to know sources, how contraceptives work and how to
use them. The findings suggest capacity building of health care providers,
CHVs, teachers, parents and community leaders on adolescence, sexuality needs
of adolescents and disadvantages of female genital mutilation (FGM) including
early marriage.</span>
%K Adolescents and Youth
%K Socio-Cultural
%K Sexuality Information
%K Service Utilization
%K Sexual and Reproductive Health
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=89406